Overvoltage Protection Apparatus and Method

ABSTRACT

An overvoltage protection apparatus and method. The overvoltage protection apparatus includes: a determining unit, having an input end connected to an input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an input end of a soft-start unit, and configured to determine whether an input voltage at the input end of the apparatus exceeds a preset protection voltage; and the soft-start unit, having an input end connected to the input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an output end of the apparatus, where if the determining unit determines that the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time, the soft-start unit delivers the input voltage to the output end of the apparatus; and otherwise, the soft-start unit does not deliver a voltage signal to the output end of the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2013/087404, filed on Nov. 19, 2013, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210508789.2, filed on Dec. 3, 2012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an overvoltage protection apparatus, and in particular, to an overvoltage protection apparatus and method that prevent a high voltage power source from being mistakenly connected to a low voltage device.

BACKGROUND

An existing electronic product and device is generally powered by connecting an external power adapter between the product or device to be powered and a power source. However, without a uniform standard in the industry, various voltages are applied to devices provide by leading manufacturers, which results in a problem that when a customer mistakenly connects an adapter of a different manufacturer to a device, the device may be damaged because a voltage of the adapter does not match the device; in particular, when a high voltage adapter is mistakenly connected to a low voltage device, it may directly lead to overvoltage-caused burning of the low voltage device.

An existing solution for preventing a high voltage adapter from being mistakenly connected to a low voltage device is using a dedicated protection component, that is, using a dedicated chip for overvoltage protection, such as a fuse, on a device. However, the existing dedicated chip for overvoltage protection, such as the fuse, has a problem of supplying power by mistake, that is, when a high voltage adapter is connected and during a process in which an input voltage rises, a device is transiently powered, and the power source is disconnected only when the input voltage reaches a set protection value; therefore, the device is in a state of being transiently powered when the power source is connected, which affects user experience.

SUMMARY Problem to be Resolved by the Present Invention

An objective of the present invention is to provide an overvoltage protection apparatus and method, which can ensure that a device is powered only when a correct and stable power source is connected.

Solutions Used for Resolving the Problem

To achieve the foregoing objective, a first aspect of the present invention provides an overvoltage protection apparatus, which includes a determining unit, having an input end connected to an input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an input end of a soft-start unit, and configured to determine whether an input voltage at the input end of the apparatus exceeds a preset protection voltage, and send a result of the determining to the soft-start unit; and the soft-start unit, where an input end of the soft-start unit is separately connected to the output end of the determining unit and the input end of the apparatus, and an output end soft-start unit is connected to an output end of the apparatus, and if the determining unit determines that the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time, the soft-start unit delivers the input voltage to the output end of the apparatus; otherwise, the soft-start unit does not deliver a voltage signal to the output end of the apparatus.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the determining unit includes: a first transistor having a source connected to the input end of the apparatus and a drain connected to the input end of the soft-start unit; a Zener diode having a positive electrode connected to a gate of the first transistor and a negative electrode connected to a ground terminal; and a second resistor, connected between the source and the gate of the first transistor; and the soft-start unit includes a second transistor having a source connected to the input end of the apparatus, a gate connected to the drain of the first transistor, and a drain connected to the output end of the apparatus; a first resistor, connected between the gate of the second transistor and the ground terminal; and a capacitor, connected between the source and the gate of the second transistor.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the first transistor is disconnected when the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage, and the second transistor is conducted when the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and after the input voltage remains stable in a preset delay time.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the first transistor is conducted when the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage, and the second transistor is disconnected when the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner, the second possible implementation manner, or the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the preset protection voltage depends on a sum of a Zener voltage of the Zener diode and a threshold voltage of the first transistor.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner, the second possible implementation manner, the third possible implementation manner, or the fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an overvoltage protection method, which includes determining whether an input voltage exceeds a preset protection voltage; and if the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time, delivering the input voltage; otherwise, skipping delivering a voltage signal.

Effects of the Present Invention

According to the apparatus and method provided by the present invention, a device is powered only when an input voltage does not exceed an allowable voltage range of the device and the input voltage is stable, which can efficiently avoid damage caused by a high voltage power source to a low voltage device, and can effectively avoid supplying power by mistake during a process in which the voltage rises, thereby avoiding a phenomenon of transient connection and disconnection.

In addition, the present invention is simple in design, low in cost, highly practical, and highly portable.

According to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features and aspects of the present invention will become clear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Accompanying drawings, included in this specification and form a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention together with this specification, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a structural diagram of an overvoltage protection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a working process of an overvoltage protection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a structural diagram of an overvoltage protection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate schematic diagrams of a PMOS transistor and a Zener diode;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate operational timing diagrams of the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment described in FIG. 3 in a normal power supply mode;

FIG. 6 illustrates an operational timing diagram of the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment described in FIG. 3 in a high voltage protection mode; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an operational timing diagram of the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment described in FIG. 3 in a sudden high voltage protection mode.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe various exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like signs in the accompanying drawings represent elements with like or similar functions. Although various aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn in proportion unless otherwise specified.

Herein, the dedicated word “exemplary” means serving as an example, embodiment or illustrative. Any embodiment described as being “exemplary” herein is not necessarily explained as being superior to or better than other embodiments.

In addition, for better description of the present invention, various specific details are given in the following specific implementation manner. A person skilled in the art should understand that the present invention may also be implemented without these specific details. In some other embodiments, well-known methods, means, elements and circuits are not described in detail, so as to highlight the main idea of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a structural diagram of an overvoltage protection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the overvoltage protection apparatus includes a determining unit 101 and a soft-start unit 102.

The determining unit 101 has a first input end P_(in1) and a first output end P_(out1), where the first input end P_(in1) connects to an input end P_(in) of the overvoltage protection apparatus. In a case in which an input voltage V_(in) at the input end P_(in) is greater than a protection voltage V_(p) of the overvoltage protection apparatus 100, the first input end P_(in1) is connected to the first output end P_(out1). In a case in which the input voltage V_(in) at the input end P_(in) is not greater than the protection voltage V_(p), the first input end P_(in1) is disconnected from the first output end P_(out1).

The soft-start unit 102 has a second input end P_(in2), a third input end P_(in3) and a second output end P_(out2), where the second input end P_(in2) is electrically connected to the input end P_(in) of the overvoltage protection apparatus, the third input end P_(in3) is electrically connected to the first output end P_(ou1), and the second output end P_(out2) is electrically connected to an output end P_(out) of the overvoltage protection apparatus 100. In a case in which the input voltage V_(in) at the input end P_(in) is greater than the protection voltage V_(p), that is, the first input end P_(in1) is connected to the first output end P_(out1), the second input end P_(in2) is disconnected from the second output end P_(out2), that is, no voltage signal is delivered to the output end P_(out) of the overvoltage protection apparatus 100. In a case in which the input voltage V_(in) at the input end P_(in) is not greater than the protection voltage V_(p), that is, the first input end P_(in1) is disconnected from the first output end P_(out1), the second input end P_(in2) is connected to the second output end P_(out2) after the input voltage V_(in) stabilizes for a preset delay time, so as to deliver the input voltage V_(in) to the output end P_(out) of the overvoltage protection apparatus 100.

The input end P_(in) of the overvoltage protection apparatus is configured to connect to an external adapter, and the output end P_(out) is configured to connect to a device to be powered. Preferably, the protection voltage V_(p) of the overvoltage protection apparatus is a highest power source voltage that can be borne by the device connected to the overvoltage protection apparatus.

The determining unit 101 is configured to determine whether the input voltage V_(in) exceeds the protection voltage V_(p). The soft-start unit 102, on one hand, delivers the input voltage at the output end (that is, to the device) only when the input voltage V_(in) does not exceed the protection voltage and an overvoltage exceeding the protection voltage does not exist in a delay time, so as to avoid supplying power by mistake during a process in which a supply voltage of an adapter rises; on the other hand, after the input voltage exceeds the protection voltage, the unit performs overvoltage protection by immediately stopping delivering a voltage signal to the output end, and ensures that the unit is conducted for power supply again only when the power source voltage is always lower than the protection voltage within a period of time. The delayed recovery helps to avoid repeated turning on and off caused by critical high voltage fluctuation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a working process of an overvoltage protection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S201, a determining unit determines whether an input voltage V_(in) is greater than a protection voltage V_(p); if yes, the working process proceeds with step S202; if not, the working process proceeds with step S203.

In step S202, the overvoltage protection apparatus does not supply power to a device to be powered, and the working process returns to step S201;

In step S203, if the input voltage V_(in) is stable in a preset delay time, the overvoltage protection apparatus starts to supply power to the device, and the working process returns to step S201.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of an overvoltage protection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the overvoltage protection apparatus includes: a first transistor Q₁ having a source connected to an input end P_(in) of the overvoltage protection apparatus; a second transistor Q₂ having a source connected to the input end P_(in) of the overvoltage protection apparatus, a gate connected to a drain of the first transistor Q₁, and a drain connected to an output end P_(out) of the overvoltage protection apparatus; a Zener diode D₁ having a positive electrode connected to a gate of the first transistor Q₁ and a negative electrode connected to a ground terminal; a first resistor R₁, connected between the gate of the second transistor Q₂ and the ground terminal; a second resistor R₂, connected between the source and the gate of the first transistor Q₁; and a capacitor C₁, connected between the source and the gate of the second transistor Q₂.

The second resistor R₂, the Zener diode D₁ and the first transistor Q₁ form the foregoing determining unit 101, and the capacitor C₁, the first resistor R₁ and the second transistor Q₂ form the foregoing soft-start unit 102.

Although in FIG. 3, symbols of PMOS field effect transistors are used to represent the first transistor and the second transistor (Q₁, Q₂), and for simplicity of description, the following uses the PMOS transistor as an example to describe various exemplary embodiments and various working modes of the overvoltage protection apparatus in the embodiment, and it should be understood that the first transistor and the second transistor are not limited to the PMOS transistors, and another type of transistor, such as a bipolar transistor, may be used.

The following will introduce different working modes of the overvoltage protection apparatus of the embodiment; and for ease of understanding, the basic working principles of the PMOS transistor and the Zener diode are first introduced.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate schematic diagrams of the PMOS transistor and the Zener diode respectively. For the PMOS transistor in FIG. 4A, when a voltage difference between a source S and a gate G is greater than an inherent turn-on voltage (a threshold voltage) V_(th) of the PMOS transistor, a drain D and the source S are conducted; and otherwise, the drain D and the source S are disconnected. For the Zener diode in FIG. 4B, when a voltage difference between a positive electrode and a negative electrode exceeds a Zener voltage V_(ref) of the Zener diode and if a current passing the Zener diode is less than a maximum through current I_(max), the voltage difference between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is forcedly fixed at V_(ref).

Normal Power Supply Mode

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B separately illustrate waveform diagrams of the overvoltage protection apparatus described in FIG. 3 in a normal power supply mode. The normal power supply mode refers to that an input voltage V_(in) (for example, a voltage provided by an external adapter) of the overvoltage protection apparatus gradually rises from a low voltage and stabilizes at a voltage V_(cc), where the voltage V_(cc) does not exceed a maximum allowable voltage that a device can bear, that is, a preset protection voltage V_(P) of the overvoltage protection apparatus.

FIG. 5A illustrates a waveform diagram in a normal power supply mode in a case of V_(cc)<V_(ref). At time t₀ shown in FIG. 5A, an adapter is connected to the overvoltage protection apparatus described in the embodiment, where the overvoltage protection apparatus is connected to a device to be powered. After that, in a time period from the time t₀ to time t₁, the voltage V_(in) at an input end of the overvoltage protection apparatus gradually rises from 0 to the V_(cc).

In a process in which the V_(in) is rising (in the time period from the t₀ to the t₁), both the Zener diode D₁ and the first transistor Q1 are in a disconnected state because V_(cc)<V_(ref), a voltage V_(B) at a point B in an electric circuit rises to the V_(cc) synchronously with the voltage V_(in) at the input end. At the same time, because of the presence of the capacitor C₁, a voltage V_(A) at a point A in the electric circuit also starts to rise from 0 together with the voltage V_(in) at the input end. However, due to discharging from the first resistor R₁ to the capacitor C₁ in the process, a rising speed of the voltage V_(A) at the point A is slightly slower than a rising speed of the voltage V_(in) at the input end.

From the time t₁, the voltage V_(in) at the input end reaches the V_(cc) and remains stable, and at this time, the first resistor R₁ continuously discharges to the capacitor C₁, to make the voltage V_(A) at the point A start to drop. However, between the time t₁ and time t₂, the voltage at the point A meets V_(A)>V_(cc)−V_(th2) (the V_(th2) is a threshold voltage of the second transistor Q₂), and therefore, a gate-source voltage of the second transistor Q₂ does not reach the threshold voltage V_(th2), and the second transistor Q₂ still remains in a disconnected state.

At the time t₂, the voltage V_(A) at the point A drops to V_(cc)−V_(th2), the gate-source voltage of the second transistor Q₂ reaches the V_(th2), the second transistor Q₂ is conducted, the voltage V_(in) at the input end of the overvoltage protection apparatus is delivered to the output end, and the overvoltage protection apparatus starts to normally supply power to the device to be powered. After the time t₂, the first resistor R₁ continuously discharges to the capacitor C₁ until the voltage V_(A) at the point A drops to 0.

It may be seen from the foregoing analysis that, in the case of V_(cc)<V_(ref), the overvoltage protection apparatus is in the normal power supply mode, and if the adapter is connected to the overvoltage protection apparatus at the time t₀, the voltage V_(out) at the output end remains to be 0 in the time period from the time t₀ to time t₂ and is delivered after the time t₂, which is delayed for a time T₁ compared with the time t₁ at which the input voltage V_(in) reaches the V_(cc) and starts to remain stable, and is delayed for a time T compared with the time t₀ at which the adapter is connected. A charging and discharging circuit formed by the capacitor C₁ and the first resistor R₁ controls a rate of change of the voltage at the point A, that is, determines the delay time T₁ and the delay time T.

FIG. 5B illustrates a waveform diagram in a normal power supply mode in a case of V_(ref)≦V_(cc)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1), where V_(th1) is a threshold voltage of the first transistor Q₁. At time t₀ shown in FIG. 5B, an adapter is connected to the overvoltage protection apparatus described in the embodiment. After that, in the time period from the time t₀ to time t₁, the voltage V_(in) at the input end of the overvoltage protection apparatus gradually rises from 0 to the V_(cc).

Because V_(ref)≦V_(cc)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1), during a process in which the V_(in) is rising, in a case of V_(in)<Vref (the time period from the t₀ to the t₁), both the Zener diode D₁ and the first transistor Q1 are in a disconnected state, a voltage V_(B) at a point B in an electric circuit rises synchronously with the voltage V_(in) at the input end. At the same time, because of the presence of the capacitor C₁, a voltage V_(A) at a point A in the electric circuit also starts to rise from 0 together with the voltage V_(in) at the input end. However, due to discharging from the first resistor R₁ to the capacitor C₁ in the process, a rising speed of the voltage V_(A) at the point A is slightly slower than a rising speed of the voltage V_(in) at the input end.

At the time t₁, the voltage V_(in) at the input end reaches the V_(ref), the Zener diode D₁ starts to remain the Zener voltage V_(ref) from the time t₁. However, because V_(in)<V_(cc)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1), the first transistor Q₁ still remains in a disconnected state, and the voltage V_(A) at the point A continuously rises at a rate slower than that of the V_(in).

At time t₂, the voltage V_(in) at the input end reaches the V_(cc) and remains stable, the first resistor R₁ continuously discharges to the capacitor C₁, to make the voltage V_(A) at the point A start to drop. However, between the time t₂ and time t₃, the voltage at the point A meets V_(A)>V_(cc)−V_(th2), and therefore, a gate-source voltage of the second transistor Q₂ does not reach the threshold voltage V_(th2), and the second transistor Q₂ still remains in a disconnected state.

At the time t₃, the voltage V_(A) at the point A drops below V_(cc)−V_(th2), the gate-source voltage of the second transistor Q₂ reaches the V_(th2), the second transistor Q₂ is conducted, the voltage V_(in) at the input end of the overvoltage protection apparatus is delivered to the output end, and the overvoltage protection apparatus starts to normally supply power to the device. After the time t₃, the first resistor R₁ continuously discharges to the capacitor C₁ until the voltage V_(A) at the point A drops to 0.

It may be seen from the foregoing analysis that, in the case of V_(ref)≦V_(cc)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1), similar to that of the case of V_(cc)<V_(ref), the overvoltage protection apparatus is also in the normal power supply mode. If the adapter is connected to the overvoltage protection apparatus at the time t₀, the voltage V_(out) at the output end remains to be 0 in the time period from the time t₀ to the time t₃, and is delivered after the time t₃. The time t₃ is delayed for a time T₂ compared with the time t₂ at which the voltage at the input end stabilizes, and is delayed for a time T compared with the time t₀ at which the adapter is connected. A charging and discharging circuit formed by the capacitor C₁ and the first resistor R₁ controls a rate of change of the voltage at the point A, that is, determines the delay time T₂ and the delay time T.

It may be seen from the foregoing analysis that, the overvoltage protection apparatus in the embodiment should meet the condition of V_(cc)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1) when working in the normal power supply mode. That is, on the premise that a sum of the Zener voltage V_(ref) of the Zener diode D₁ and the threshold voltage V_(th1) of the first transistor Q₁ does not exceed an allowable voltage of the device to be powered, the Zener diode D₁ and the first transistor Q₁ are properly selected, so that the first transistor is disconnected when the input voltage is lower than the protection voltage V_(ref)−V_(th1), and the second transistor is conducted after the input voltage reaches a stable state and remains in the stable state for a first delay time. A preset protection voltage V_(p) of the overvoltage protection apparatus in the embodiment depends on the Zener voltage V_(ref) of the Zener diode D₁ and the threshold voltage V_(th1) of the first transistor Q₁.

High Voltage Protection Mode

FIG. 6 illustrates a waveform diagram of the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment described in FIG. 3, where the overvoltage protection apparatus works in a high voltage protection mode. The high voltage protection mode refers to that an input voltage V_(in) (for example, a voltage provided by an external adapter) of the overvoltage protection apparatus gradually rises from a low voltage, and stabilizes at a voltage V_(dd) that is higher than the protection voltage V_(p) of the overvoltage protection apparatus, that is, V_(dd)>V_(ref)+V_(th1).

Compared with the normal mode shown in FIG. 5B, the high voltage protection mode is different in that, at the time t₁, when the input voltage V_(in) rises to the Zener voltage V_(ref) of the Zener diode D₁, the Zener diode D₁ enters into a regulated state, and the voltage V_(B) at the point B stabilizes at the V_(ref) and does not change with the V_(in) any longer. Subsequently, when the V_(in) continuously rises and reaches the protection voltage V_(ref)+V_(th1) at the time t₂, the first transistor Q₁ is conducted because the gate-source voltage of the first transistor Q₁ reaches the V_(th1), and the input voltage V_(in) is delivered to the point A, so that the voltage at the point A synchronously continues to rise with the input voltage V_(in) until the time t₃ at which the input voltage V_(in) reaches and stabilizes at the V_(dd). Because a source voltage and a gate voltage of the second transistor Q₂ remain the same, a gate-source voltage difference cannot reach the threshold voltage V_(th2) of the second transistor; therefore, the second transistor Q₂ always remains disconnected.

It may be seen from the foregoing analysis that, when the input voltage is higher than the protection voltage of the overvoltage protection apparatus, the first transistor Q₁ is conducted, and the second transistor Q₂ is disconnected. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment can ensure that the second transistor Q₂ is disconnected when the input voltage exceeds the protection voltage V_(ref)+V_(th1) of the overvoltage protection apparatus, which results in that the input voltage V_(in) cannot supply power to the device, thereby achieving an effect of high voltage protection.

Sudden High Voltage Protection Mode

FIG. 7 illustrates a waveform diagram of the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment described in FIG. 3, where the overvoltage protection apparatus works in a sudden high voltage protection mode. The sudden high voltage protection mode refers to that, in a normal working mode, an input voltage suddenly rises to a high voltage that is higher than the protection voltage.

As shown in FIG. 7, from the time t₀ to the time t₁, the input voltage V_(in) meets V_(in)≦V_(ref)+V_(th1), and therefore, the overvoltage protection apparatus works in a normal power supply mode, and the output voltage meets V_(out)=V_(in). At the time t₁, the input voltage V_(in) suddenly rises to a voltage higher than V_(ref)+V_(th1), and the overvoltage protection apparatus immediately enters into a high voltage protection mode, that is, the first transistor Q₁ is conducted, and the voltage V_(A) at the point A rises to the V_(in), making the second transistor Q₂ become disconnected, and making the output voltage V_(out) become 0. At the time t₂, the input voltage V_(in) restores to an allowable range below V_(ref)+V_(th1), and in this case, the first transistor Q₁ is disconnected, and as the first resistor R₁ discharges, the voltage at the point A gradually drops till the time t₃. When the voltage at the point A meets V_(A)<V_(in)−V_(th2), the second transistor Q2 is conducted, and the overvoltage protection apparatus restores normal power supply.

It may be seen from the foregoing analysis that, the overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment immediately enters into a high voltage protection mode if the input voltage V_(in) rises to a voltage higher than the protection voltage V_(p) (that is, V_(ref)+V_(th1)) in a normal working mode, making the first transistor conducted and the second transistor disconnected, so as to cut off power supply to the device to prevent the device from being damaged; when the input voltage restores to an allowable range (not exceeding the protection voltage), the first transistor is disconnected, and the second transistor is conducted after the input voltage reaches a stable state and remains in the stable state for a delay time T₃, so that the overvoltage protection apparatus restores to the normal working mode. A charging and discharging circuit formed by the capacitor C₁ and the first resistor R₁ controls a rate of change of the voltage at the point A, that is, determines the delay time T₃.

The present invention further provides a device having an overvoltage protection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, where an input end of the overvoltage protection apparatus is configured to connect to an external adapter, and an output end of the overvoltage protection apparatus is configured to connect to an input end of a power source of the device.

Although the foregoing describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a Zener diode may be replaced by another active or passive voltage regulator circuit or voltage regulator, as long as it can provide a stable reference voltage.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims. However, the implementation manners of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, a Zener diode may be replaced by another active or passive voltage regulator circuit or voltage regulator, as long as it can provide a stable reference voltage.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An overvoltage protection apparatus, comprising: a soft-start unit; and a determining unit having an input end connected to an input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an input end of the soft-start unit, wherein the determining unit is configured to: determine whether an input voltage at the input end of the apparatus exceeds a preset protection voltage; and send a result of the determining to the soft-start unit; and wherein an input end of the soft-start unit is separately connected to the output end of the determining unit and the input end of the apparatus, wherein an output end of the soft-start unit is connected to an output end of the apparatus, and wherein the soft-start unit is configured to: deliver the input voltage to the output end of the apparatus when the determining unit determines that the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time; and not deliver a voltage signal to the output end of the apparatus when the determining unit determines that the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage or does not remain stable in a preset delay time.
 2. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit comprises: a first transistor having a source connected to the input end of the apparatus and a drain connected to the input end of the soft-start unit; a Zener diode having a positive electrode connected to a gate of the first transistor and a negative electrode connected to a ground terminal; and a second resistor connected between the source and the gate of the first transistor, and wherein the soft-start unit comprises: a second transistor having a source connected to the input end of the apparatus, a gate connected to the drain of the first transistor, and a drain connected to the output end of the apparatus; a first resistor connected between the gate of the second transistor and the ground terminal; and a capacitor connected between the source and the gate of the second transistor.
 3. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first transistor is disconnected when the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage, and wherein the second transistor is conducted when the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and after the input voltage remains stable in the preset delay time.
 4. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first transistor is conducted when the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage, and wherein the second transistor is disconnected when the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage.
 5. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the preset protection voltage depends on a sum of a Zener voltage of the Zener diode and a threshold voltage of the first transistor.
 6. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the preset protection voltage depends on a sum of a Zener voltage of the Zener diode and a threshold voltage of the first transistor.
 7. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the preset protection voltage depends on a sum of a Zener voltage of the Zener diode and a threshold voltage of the first transistor.
 8. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 9. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 10. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 11. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 12. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 13. The overvoltage protection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.
 14. An overvoltage protection method, comprising: determining whether an input voltage exceeds a preset protection voltage; delivering the input voltage when the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time; and not delivering a voltage signal when the input voltage exceeds the preset protection voltage or does not remain stable in a preset delay time. 